Things I love Thursday on Friday – Edmonton Edition. Earths General Store, The River Valley, Yoga, Food.

There are so many things I love, and so many things I could be talking about, but this week, I’m relishing my time in Edmonton. It’s been a little under a year since my last visit, and at some point last month I realized I missed my family & friends, and it was time for a visit.

So there has been food, and fun, and lots of catching up. I’ve really enjoyed it. Everything is novel, and I’m a tourist in my hometown. I’m comparing notes, I’m remembering old haunts, and realizing they are completely gone. I’m discovering new and interesting places, and old and interesting places, and exploring the city through a whole new lens.

One of my favourite places, that’s underwent a bit of an evolution since just before I moved is Earth’s General Store. It’s a store that just embodies a lot of good, and gives me hope. It’s lacto-ovo-vegetarian, they care about methods of production, treatment of workers, vegan items are clearly labelled and there are plenty of them, they’ve got books, and snacks, and produce, and bulk foods, and things you can’t get anywhere else in the city.

They were the first place in Canada that I heard of that picked up daiya. They’ve got The Vegg. If a store like that can exist in Edmonton, why can’t it exist in Toronto? It’s Panacea, but with a longer life span. Maybe someday. Until then, I will look at Earth’s General Store from a far, and I will pine for such a place.

My parents and I walked through the Edmonton river valley yesterday, through familiar trail, and along the North Saskatchewan River. Fresh dry air filling my lungs, it was like a fresh breath of home.

And yet, oddly, I felt like something wasn’t quite home, in a way that I didn’t feel on the last visit with JC. And voila, I realized that might be who is missing from this trip! Sentimental! (I guess I miss that guy.)

While here I tried a Hot Yoga Class from Nirvana Hot Yoga in West Edmonton Mall. They were the closest spot near my parents house, and I really enjoyed it. So much so, that I think I might even start going to classes when I get back.

There was a poster at one studio for Passport to Prana – a Indie Coffee passport-like card you can use to take a yoga class at studios all over your city. And it just so happens… that there is one for Toronto & Area. With over 70 locations and a 1 year expiry date, the card might be really really worth it! Or at the very least, it’d be a great way to experience a bunch of studios and pick one I like.

So far on the vegan food adventure train, I’ve visited Remedy Cafe, Padmanadi, Noorish, Clever Rabbit, Narayanni’s Restaurant, and Chopped Leaf. I’m looking forward to sharing stories and pictures. So far I’ve just been doing it on instagram and facebook.